20 Practical Tips For Domestic Recycling (With Bonus Tips From Our Online Users)

We all know we should recycle, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. At Blackpool Skip Hire, we believe in keeping it simple. A bit of fun doesn’t hurt either.

Below are 10 practical tips anyone can do from home to make a real difference. And after that, we’ve included bonus tips from our wonderful online community who chipped in with everything from tea bags to duvets (yes, really).

Thank you to everyone who contributed. We’ve only included the practical tips that anybody can do – and left out the silly ones. You know who you are.

10 Practical Recycling Tips From Us

1. Rinse before you recycle
   Give cans, bottles and food trays a quick rinse before putting them in the recycling bin. It prevents contamination and helps the whole batch stay recyclable.
   
2. Know your bins
   Every council has different rules, so check what goes where in your area. Some plastics aren’t accepted, and guesswork usually does more harm than good.
   
3. Reuse before you recycle
   Before binning glass jars or sturdy tubs, think about reusing them. They’re great for storing leftovers, dried goods or even screws in the garage.
   
4. Cut down on single-use plastic
   Use a reusable shopping bag, water bottle and coffee cup. You’ll avoid hundreds of bits of plastic throughout the year without even trying.
   
5. Set up a mini recycling station at home
   A few labelled boxes in a cupboard, porch or shed can make sorting easy. If it’s easy, you’re more likely to do it.
   
6. Flatten your cardboard
   Boxes take up loads of space. Flatten them to save room in the recycling bin and make life easier on collection day.
   
7. Turn old clothes into cleaning cloths
   Do you have a T-shirt that has more holes than fabric? Cut it into rags and use it for cleaning before giving it a final farewell.
   
8. Stop junk mail at the source
   Register with the Mailing Preference Service to cut down on junk mail. It reduces waste and clears space on the doormat.
   
9. Get to know the recycling symbols
   Some packaging looks recyclable when it’s not. Learn what those symbols really mean so you can make better choices.
   
10. Don’t forget batteries and bulbs
    These don’t belong in the bin. Most supermarkets now have drop-off points for safe recycling. Add it to your shopping list.

Bonus Tips From Our Online Community

Thanks to everyone who got involved with our recycling tip callout. There were some hilarious suggestions (we’re looking at you, “banana peels as slippers”), but here are the practical gems that made it into the list:

11. Crushed eggshells for the garden
    Elizabeth Thorley recommends drying and crushing eggshells to sprinkle around your plants. Great for deterring slugs and snails, and your plants will love the calcium.
    
12. Teabags for mirror cleaning
    Matty England swears by used teabags for cleaning mirrors. Just give them a wipe, then buff with a kitchen roll. Bonus tip: don’t sniff them afterwards.
    
13. Shop local with your own containers
    Marga Bennett suggests using your own tubs at the butcher, greengrocer or bakery. It avoids packaging altogether and supports local businesses.
    
14. Shred your paper waste
    Mark Marten says to shred all your junk mail and paper waste. It’s good for compost or packaging, and don’t forget – food waste is too expensive to throw away.
    
15. Reuse your old duvet
    Susie Morgan uses old duvets to add insulation in the attic. It’s a smart way to save energy and avoid waste.
    
16. DIY planters from cartons and paper
    Pico Furniss makes plant pots out of old plastic cartons and recycled paper cups. Perfect for a yard garden, especially when the containers can’t be recycled.
    
17. Stainless steel water filter and bottle
    Tim Middleton suggests investing in a stainless steel filter and bottle. Tap water becomes tasty, and you’ll avoid hundreds of plastic bottles.
    
18. Reusing cooking oil
    Peter Cousins filters used cooking oil through coffee filter paper and reuses it for frying. A bit niche, but great for reducing kitchen waste.
    
19. Stop buying stuff you don’t need
    Igoris Kristinaitis keeps it simple. Stop buying unnecessary items, learn to cook and get outdoors more. It’s good for the planet and your well-being.
    
20. Coffee jars for homemade jam
    M Stu P Rymer reuses coffee jars for jam, chutney and other homemade goodies. No labels to peel, no jars to buy. Easy.

A quick final note!

Recycling doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just about small changes that add up over time. Whether you’re rinsing a tin of beans, flattening a box, or reusing an old duvet, it all counts.

And when it comes to bigger clear-outs, don’t forget Blackpool Skip Hire is always here to help. Just don’t put batteries in the skip. Seriously.

Got a tip we missed? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram and share it with us. You might feature in the next round!